Chapter 89: Guarding Heaven's Pass pt. 10

The spiritual energy surged like waves from Jiang Linzhai towards Lin Changming. However, the unfortunate part was that not only did this energy fail to reverse Lin Changming's situation, but it also threw the originally calm spiritual energy within him into complete chaos.

Not good!

On the path to becoming a Tongshen, a mortal body was merely a vessel for spiritual energy. Each person’s cultivation level determined the amount of energy they could bear. If someone, driven by greed, recklessly acquired too much energy that didn’t belong to them, their mind would be impacted, and their body would also suffer. Therefore, the Kuwu Clan’s Spirit Borrowing Talisman always took only the appropriate amount of spiritual energy, unlike the unrestrained way it was happening now.

The energy in Lin Changming's body surged uncontrollably. He immediately shouted to stop, but the spirit borrowing did not cease; it grew even more intense. The spiritual energy rampaged through his limbs and bones as if it had physical form.

Lin Changming's nose and mouth started to bleed, a sign that his body was reaching its limit. If this continued, he wouldn't need Jiang Linzhai to stab him; he would explode and die on his own. In this critical moment, Lin Changming recited a spell: "Tumultuous Wave!"

Rainwater suddenly formed a vortex, then converged into a vast wave, sweeping Jiang Linzhai to the street corner.

Lin Changming was able to catch his breath. He flipped up and tried to retreat, but before he could do so, Jiang Linzhai came again! After exchanging several moves, Lin Changming held a brush in one hand and covered his mouth and nose with the other, blood dripping down. He had to think of a solution because the spirit borrowing hadn’t stopped.

Jiang Linzhai's sword strikes were fierce, each one deadly in the flying rain. The more Lin Changming fought, the more alarmed he became. He had always held himself in high regard, thinking that within the Four Mountains, no one could match him, but he hadn't expected this obscure Jiang Lang-jun to be so formidable!

"You—" Lin Changming said while choking on blood, "How much spiritual energy do you have exactly?"

Jiang Linzhai couldn't hear a thing. In his eyes, he had already killed the River God dozens of times, yet the River God still lived.

Lin Changming swiftly retreated, realising that further fighting was futile. In a moment of desperation and ingenuity, he used the Thousand Gold Brush to stir the raindrops, drawing extremely complex sigils in mid-air. For each stroke he drew, he took a step back. By the time the spell was complete, the two of them were surrounded by the suspended spell array.

"I can't activate this formation alone, but thanks to you today," Lin Changming used his blood to paint the array, then waved the brush and shouted in a deep voice, "Nightmare Seal!"

The spell array suddenly brightened and began to spin rapidly. The street vendors' stalls and wine flags were instantly lifted into the air, drawn by the strong suction of the array. Jiang Linzhai's spiritual energy no longer surged towards Lin Changming but was instead absorbed by the Nightmare Sealing Array, merging with the rainwater to form a huge vortex in mid-air.

Once the Nightmare Sealing Array was activated, the illusion immediately replaced reality. The street scene around them transformed into black and white, with ink stains emerging from all directions, engulfing them.

—The rain fell.

Lin Changming opened his eyes to find himself still standing at the street corner. Although he was familiar with the method of drawing the Nightmare Sealing Array, this was his first time entering it. As the one who set up the array, his injuries had healed according to his will, and he now felt completely refreshed. He held the brush and looked around.

The city was still the same city, and the rain was still the same rain. In the distance, someone was walking.

Lin Changming recognised it as Jiang Linzhai and took two steps to catch up, seizing the opportunity to strike up a conversation: "Friend, I've temporarily isolated reality with the Nightmare Sealing Array. You’re safe now—"

Jiang Linzhai drew his sword, the blade flashing like lightning. Before Lin Changming could finish his sentence, his throat was slit.

—The rain fell.

Lin Changming opened his eyes and found himself back at the street corner. He breathed heavily, hastily feeling his throat. Fortunately, the freshly cut wound was gone.

Strange! According to the rules of the Nightmare Sealing Array, he should be the strongest person here. How could Jiang Linzhai's sword still be so fast? While pondering this, Lin Changming saw Jiang Linzhai again through the curtain of rain.

Jiang Linzhai was walking, and despite knowing better, Lin Changming chased after him again: "Friend..."

Jiang Linzhai didn't even change his stance. With the same swift movement, he once again slit Lin Changming's throat.

—The rain fell.

Rain, rain, rain continuously poured down!

Every time Lin Changming tried to talk to Jiang Linzhai, he would be killed. And every time he was killed, everything would reset to the street corner. Gradually, Lin Changming began to understand something.

"The world within the array should be controlled by my will, but perhaps I was too hasty in activating the array, or maybe you're just too powerful. I can't fully control this world right now; we can only govern it separately," Lin Changming said, following Jiang Linzhai. "As the array creator, I can't truly die here, but I don't know what you've experienced, so I can't restore everything properly. That's why I keep restarting from the street corner. Friend, could you..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Linzhai drew his sword again. Lin Changming was prepared this time, but even with preparation, the Thousand Gold Brush was no match for the Wuyou Sword, and so he died once more.

The rain...

Forget it.

Lin Changming wiped his face in the rain then conjured an umbrella with his brush, and stood at the street corner, waiting for Jiang Linzhai to pass by. Jiang Linzhai always took the same route, and sure enough, it wasn't long before he appeared in front of Lin Changming.

The sound of rain pattered on the umbrella, and the bloodstained figure of that great devil slightly tilted his head, seemingly attracted by the sound. Lin Changming had never seen him before and had been too busy being killed to take a good look. Now, upon closer inspection, he found Jiang Linzhai to be strikingly handsome, possessing an exceptionally fine appearance.

Lin Changming gently parted the curtain of rain. Seeing that Jiang Linzhai didn't react, he thought he might have a chance this time. He stepped closer and cautiously said, "Jiang Lang-jun, you..."

The sword was drawn, and he died again.

Lin Changming sighed, losing count of how many times he had opened his eyes at this street corner. He had gained fame at a young age, undefeated in the Dongzhao Mountains. His handsome looks and generous, righteous nature earned him many friends, and he had never been so disliked before.

"You want to kill me, but I insist on saving you."

Lin Changming resolutely sheathed his Thousand Gold Brush at his waist and walked straight towards Jiang Linzhai. To his surprise, this time was different—Jiang Linzhai, expressionless, walked right past him.

Amidst the steady rain, Lin Changming realised a crucial point: as long as he didn't speak, Jiang Linzhai wouldn't notice him. Watching Jiang Linzhai move ahead, seemingly heading somewhere, Lin Changming silently followed.

The four mountains stand together, and they are in the same boat. Known for his flamboyance, Lin Changming also had a chivalrous heart. Having accepted the Ming family's request to help Jiang Linzhai seal the heavens, he was determined to see it through.

As the rain flew sideways, Lin Changming raised his umbrella, shielding Jiang Linzhai from the rain. Unaware, Jiang Linzhai walked to the edge of a ditch and suddenly jumped in.

Lin Changming: “…”

He crouched by the ditch, watching Jiang Linzhai bend down and search through the murky water. The corner of the ditch was clogged with filth, and the water was foul, yet Jiang Linzhai seemed entranced, plunging his sword-wielding hands into the muck, persistently searching for something.

The dignified master of the four mountains...

Lin Changming couldn't bear it any longer. He closed his umbrella and jumped in as well. He couldn't understand this formation alone; the key lay with Jiang Linzhai to uncover what had transpired here.

The water in the ditch reeked, but Lin Changming suppressed his discomfort and groped around in the water. Finally, he dislodged a small, delicate rouge box from a crevice.

The rouge box was the kind of trinket Lin Changming might buy to charm someone. He held it in his hand and noticed it was broken, the rouge powder long gone. Seeing Jiang Linzhai still searching, Lin Changming bravely tapped the rouge box.

The clanging sound caught Jiang Linzhai's attention. He turned and followed the noise. Lin Changming, being a good person to the end, handed the rouge box to him.

Their fingers touched as they both held the rouge box. In that instant, the rain seemed to intensify. Lin Changming faintly heard some shouting, and then he saw a boy being killed.

—Blood splattered on his face as the boy, like a kite with a broken string, was torn apart in the crowd. The rouge box fell out, trampled and deformed. The boy kept calling "Shifu" until he was thrown into the ditch.

Lin Changming recoiled, letting go of the rouge box, which fell back into Jiang Linzhai's hand. He realised then that Jiang Linzhai wasn't searching for an object; he was searching for his disciple!

Jiang Linzhai clutched the rouge box, his face soaked with rain. He listened for a moment, then left the ditch and continued forward. Lin Changming followed, finding a lock of hair and two broken swords along the way.

Lin Changming discovered that as long as he and Jiang Linzhai held these items together, they could catch glimpses of scenes, mostly of disciples being killed. From these fragmented images, Lin Changming gradually pieced together the general story.

"The River God lured you away and then used puppets to kill your four disciples. By the time you returned, they were already dead," Lin Changming sighed, holding his umbrella. "That's why you couldn't accept it and ended up like this."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the sound of a sword being drawn and remembered that he wasn't supposed to speak!

Lin Changming quickly stepped back, but Jiang Linzhai was too fast; the Wuyou Sword was almost immediately at his throat. In his panic, Lin Changming shouted, "Shifu!"

The umbrella split apart, rain-soaked his blue robe, and Wuyou Sword stopped just before his throat.

Lin Changming felt a thin line of blood appear on his neck. He swallowed and called again, "...Shifu."

A hand reached out and rested on his head.

Lin Changming had been enlightened at six and wasn't very close to his own Shifu. In their Kuwu Clan, the rules were strict, and everyone practised drawing talismans together, unlike the Posuo Sect, where there were only a few people coming and going.

The hand, covered in blood and grime, touched Lin Changming's head and then his face. The cold sensation slid across his cheek, and Lin Changming turned his head slightly. Though he was older than Jiang Linzhai and considered himself the leader of Dongzhao Mountain, accustomed to being formidable outside, he felt a bit uneasy being touched like this.

Jiang Linzhai's expression softened, and there was finally recognition of Lin Changming in his eyes.

Lin Changming asked, "Are you awake now..."

Jiang Linzhai called him, "Jian Yi."

Lin Changming was taken aback, not knowing who this "Jian Yi" was, but he reacted quickly, guessing that this "Jianyi" must be another one of Jiang Linzhai's disciples. The once-glorious Ruyi Lang could only force himself to stay calm, awkwardly responding, "...Ng."

Jiang Linzhai grasped his hand and turned to walk forward, leading him. The two broken swords hanging at his waist clinked lightly with a "dīng-dāng" sound.

Lin Changming's face was smeared with blood, which was washed by the rain, dirtying his green robe. He couldn't care about cleanliness, only thinking that this person was behaving strangely and seemed to have gone mad. However, he was always compassionate and thought that "Jian Yi" must have also died, so he let Jiang Linzhai lead him.

Jiang Linzhai led Lin Changming down the street, and something strange happened. The previously deserted place suddenly became lively, with flags and banners fluttering on both sides, vendors and performers shouting loudly, and crowds of people passing by them constantly.

Lin Changming knew that this was the "illusion made from nothing" of the Nightmare Sealing Array. It recreated the scene Jiang Linzhai saw when he first entered the city, based on Jiang Linzhai's thoughts.

"A Nightmare Sealing Array usually has only one person setting it up. This experience is quite unusual," Lin Changming said. "If we want to break the formation and kill the god, we need to unify our thoughts. Otherwise, a world with two conflicting ideas will eventually fall into chaos."

He made a lot of sense, but these words were too unlike "Jian Yi." Consequently—

He died again.

Fortunately, this time he didn't return to the street corner but to the place where he was holding the umbrella. As soon as Lin Changming opened his eyes, the Wuyou Sword was right at his throat, and he blurted out, "Shifu!"

This time was much more natural. Lin Changming, pulled along by Jiang Linzhai, walked towards the bustling street again. Through his repeated deaths and resurrections, he concluded that as long as he didn't speak out of turn and behaved like Jian Yi, Jiang Linzhai wouldn't kill him.

The two walked down the street and arrived at a riverbank. There stood a majestic temple dedicated to the river god, with a large censer in front, burning incense.

Jiang Linzhai said, "Go pack your things. Once night falls, we'll take your Shidi and Shimei back to North Heron Mountain."

This was the first time Jiang Linzhai had spoken so much to Lin Changming. His tone was normal, and he appeared quite clear-headed.

Lin Changming grasped his Thousand Gold Brush, pondering how to respond. He didn't know Jian Yi nor Jiang Linzhai well, but seeing Jiang Linzhai's earlier state, he guessed they must have been very close in life. So, he said, "With such a great enemy before us, how can I let Shifu face it alone? I won't leave, I'll stay with you—"

The Wuyou Sword came again!

Lin Changming didn't understand. He really didn't understand. This man had gone mad for his disciples, yet he couldn't tolerate any kind or soft words! Could it be that they usually spoke to each other harshly?

The next time he said, "Alright, Shifu, if you want to stay, I'll stay. I won't interfere, I'll immediately take the Shidi and Shimei—"

He died again.

Then he tried, "Shifu, good Shifu, I beg you—"

Once again, dead.

Lin Changming gritted his teeth and racked his brain under Jiang Linzhai's gaze: "Shifu, wait for me to call the Shidi and Shimei over, don't draw your sword, dammit, Jiang Linzhai, you're truly mad—"

Dead, dead, dead!

Lin Changming's throat was getting cut so often it felt calloused. He tried to fight back, but he couldn't beat Jiang Linzhai. The sword grew faster and faster, to the point where his neck started hurting before he even spoke.

"I..." Lin Changming was numb. He felt hopeless and spoke some honest words to Jiang Linzhai, "I can't... Shifu."

He waited for the sword to come, but this time it didn't. Jiang Linzhai, seemingly expecting this, tossed him a gold Fire Fish ornament symbolising the Posuo Sect from his waist.

"Without me on the road," Jiang Linzhai said, "you are the biggest. Don't say you can't."

Holding the gold Fire Fish ornament, Lin Changming asked impulsively, "Without you? What do you mean, you're not coming with us?"

Jiang Linzhai looked at him and gripped his sword. Just when Lin Changming thought he had misspoken again, Jiang Linzhai handed him the Wuyou Sword.

"The heavens are not sealed yet," Jiang Linzhai said. "I'll come later."

The wind rustled their sleeves. Covered in blood, Lin Changming realised for the first time that the blood was all Jiang Linzhai's. Jiang Linzhai had forgotten that his disciples were all dead as if he wanted to return to that day, to the time when they first entered the city.

He didn't want them to play the hero, he wanted them to leave.

The rain continued to fall.

Lin Changming knew a secret, a secret about the rain. The reason why the rain wouldn't stop was because the river god wasn't dead. His corruption had caused the spiritual energy in this place to become chaotic, and the continuous heavy rain was a sign of that. He couldn't tell Jiang Linzhai because that would mean Jiang Linzhai hadn't killed the river god nor found his disciples.

The Author Has Something to Say

It’s going to need 11 (OCD head-holding and screaming)

Thanks for reading.